Vinegaroon Studio
Artist Statement:
I am interested in the intersections of mythology, folklore, and archeology. I am interested in mysticism as it relates to place. My work explores a fantastical world related to spirituality, and the divine feminine mystique. Each piece tells a story which is not always evident to the viewer. My work is influenced by the feminine images, sculptures, and carvings from Antiquity and in particular the ancient pottery and ceramic figures found throughout the world. For example the Neolithic bird snake goddess figures from the Vinča site in Europe and the Moche’s ceramic sculptural vessels from the pre-Columbian culture of Southern America. My art is focused on ceramic sculpture with some additional materials and functional ceramics. I create human like beings with androgynous or simple feminine forms, references to anthropomorphic forms, and other mystical creatures. They are Spirit Dancers that appear to celebrate, contemplate, or begin a journey of reawakening from a memory of a different time and place. There is a profound connection with the Earth and celestial universe. In essence I am making a mythology. In this contemporary moment I find myself, perhaps more than ever, as human civilization finds itself at an impasse. Stuck between scientific progress, ecologic crisis, polarized political divisions, and fear of “the other”, I believe human beings are moving more and more inward. My work then aims to make tangible my own fantasies of a world reconnected to our base hopes and desire for symbiosis with the landscape and communities we live in. In a quiet and poetic manner, it is my hope that my sculptures can let the viewer explore their own visions.
I am interested in the intersections of mythology, folklore, and archeology. I am interested in mysticism as it relates to place. My work explores a fantastical world related to spirituality, and the divine feminine mystique. Each piece tells a story which is not always evident to the viewer. My work is influenced by the feminine images, sculptures, and carvings from Antiquity and in particular the ancient pottery and ceramic figures found throughout the world. For example the Neolithic bird snake goddess figures from the Vinča site in Europe and the Moche’s ceramic sculptural vessels from the pre-Columbian culture of Southern America. My art is focused on ceramic sculpture with some additional materials and functional ceramics. I create human like beings with androgynous or simple feminine forms, references to anthropomorphic forms, and other mystical creatures. They are Spirit Dancers that appear to celebrate, contemplate, or begin a journey of reawakening from a memory of a different time and place. There is a profound connection with the Earth and celestial universe. In essence I am making a mythology. In this contemporary moment I find myself, perhaps more than ever, as human civilization finds itself at an impasse. Stuck between scientific progress, ecologic crisis, polarized political divisions, and fear of “the other”, I believe human beings are moving more and more inward. My work then aims to make tangible my own fantasies of a world reconnected to our base hopes and desire for symbiosis with the landscape and communities we live in. In a quiet and poetic manner, it is my hope that my sculptures can let the viewer explore their own visions.
Bio:
Bernadette Frerker Larimer is a ceramics artist known for her psycho-whimsical anthropomorphic sculptures. Her work is the material expression of her deep love for nature, spirituality, and the divine feminine mystique. Working primarily with ceramics (earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain), she employs various slips, underglazes, glazes, and lusters. Her preferred technique uses coil-building to create human and abstract forms. She also creates functional work with images of goddesses and other magical beings. Ms. Larimer lived for nearly seven years in the high desert of New Mexico, whose stark beauty inspired her art. She recently relocated to the East Coast where - although a striking contrast to the high desert - she again draws inspiration from her surroundings, most notably the ocean, woods, and swamps.
